Drug Task Force seeking suspects

About 30 suspects are being sought on sealed drug indictments as part of a six-month investigation by the Pulaski-Radford Drug Task Force.
The task force roundup started yesterday, but the names of the suspects being sought are not yet being released. Eight of the suspects were in custody as of noon Thursday.
The task force consists of officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, Dublin Police Department, Pulaski Police Department, Radford Police Department and the Commonwealth’s Attorneys Offices for Pulaski and Radford. The point of the group is to combat local drug dealers.
According to task force spokesman Sgt. M.T. Conroy of the Virginia State Police, prescription narcotics such as morphine and hydrocodone are the most common drugs police are seizing.
“We are seeing people who have legitimate prescriptions become dealers by selling part of their prescription,” states a press release from the task force. “Prescription drugs are becoming the new gateway drug for people.
“When prescription drugs are abused, they can have devastating consequences. Abusers often defeat the time release mechanisms of the drug in order to achieve a ‘high.’” He said this action causes a higher dose of medication in the abuser and that can have serious effects.
The press release goes on to say the task force allows officers to work together to target drug dealers more rapidly and to share information on suspected drug activity with other departments. The seven-member task force’s officers are sworn with special arrest powers allowing them to arrest subjects outside of their normal jurisdiction.
The task force was formed in 2005. With recent budget concerns, it allows the pooling of resources and manpower to more effectively target dealers in the area.
With regard to this investigation, Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis commented, “We followed up on citizen’s tips that led to the arrests, and the public’s help is appreciated.”
Members of the task force encourage citizens to call the crime line with drug tips or other suspicious activity at 540-980-7810; or they can call the Virginia State Police drug tip line at 1-800-553-DOPE. Callers can remain anonymous.
Citizens also can report crimes online at www.sheriffsoffice.org.

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Drug Task Force seeking suspects

About 30 suspects are being sought on sealed drug indictments as part of a six-month investigation by the Pulaski-Radford Drug Task Force.
The task force roundup started yesterday, but the names of the suspects being sought are not yet being released. Eight of the suspects were in custody as of noon Thursday.
The task force consists of officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, Dublin Police Department, Pulaski Police Department, Radford Police Department and the Commonwealth’s Attorneys Offices for Pulaski and Radford. The point of the group is to combat local drug dealers.
According to task force spokesman Sgt. M.T. Conroy of the Virginia State Police, prescription narcotics such as morphine and hydrocodone are the most common drugs police are seizing.
“We are seeing people who have legitimate prescriptions become dealers by selling part of their prescription,” states a press release from the task force. “Prescription drugs are becoming the new gateway drug for people.
“When prescription drugs are abused, they can have devastating consequences. Abusers often defeat the time release mechanisms of the drug in order to achieve a ‘high.’” He said this action causes a higher dose of medication in the abuser and that can have serious effects.
The press release goes on to say the task force allows officers to work together to target drug dealers more rapidly and to share information on suspected drug activity with other departments. The seven-member task force’s officers are sworn with special arrest powers allowing them to arrest subjects outside of their normal jurisdiction.
The task force was formed in 2005. With recent budget concerns, it allows the pooling of resources and manpower to more effectively target dealers in the area.
With regard to this investigation, Pulaski County Sheriff Jim Davis commented, “We followed up on citizen’s tips that led to the arrests, and the public’s help is appreciated.”
Members of the task force encourage citizens to call the crime line with drug tips or other suspicious activity at 540-980-7810; or they can call the Virginia State Police drug tip line at 1-800-553-DOPE. Callers can remain anonymous.
Citizens also can report crimes online at www.sheriffsoffice.org.